Redlands Tigers set to secure victories across grades

THE Tigers are set to secure several victories across the grades following a weekend of heavy run scoring and inspirational performances.

The women’s Jodie Fields Shield side became the first senior Tigers outfit to book a spot in the finals following a hard-fought victory over Sandgate/Redcliffe on Sunday. The Tigers restricted the opposition to 160 after electing to bowl first before chasing down the total with six overs to spare. Delyse Laycock (2/25 & 44*) led the way with both bat and ball, while Paige McDonnell (2/37) and Kate McDonald (25) also made valuable contributions to help set up another comfortable victory. The Tigers’ semi-final opponents will be decided next weekend.

First grade posted 245 against the University of Queensland in the season’s penultimate fixture after a top order collapse had earlier seen the Tigers slump to 5 for 31. A partnership for the sixth wicket between Sam Howse (75) and Leigh Drennan (49) put the Tigers back on track, while some late order resistance from Jon Stimpson (28) and Ben Long (29*) iced the comeback. A wicket from Michael Herdman before the close ensured the Tigers would travel into the second day with the upper hand.

A sublime century from Nick Hurford has seen second grade through to a total of 281 for the loss of seven wickets in their clash with the University of Queensland. Sam Ward (34) and Mitch Drennan (34) both churned out valuable runs in combination with Hurford, who finished on 129, to set up the game and give the Tigers’ bowlers the opportunity to keep second grade’s season alive next weekend.

Third grade were defeated on first innings against University after being dismissed for 45 in the first innings. The visitors responded with 6/189 before declaring with a 144 run lead just prior to stumps. The Tigers sit at 0/11 in the second innings, facing an uphill battle to regain parity next weekend.

Fourth grade dismissed University for 202 away from home thanks to the heroics of Wayne Todman (4/25) and Pearce Anderson, who combined to claim seven opposition wickets. The Tigers will resume at 1/28 next weekend requiring a further 174 runs for first-innings points.

Fifth grade one will go into the second day as strong favorites after an elegant half-century from Pat Cummins in the face of a resurgent Valley bowling outfit enabled the Tigers to post 174. Taylor Cue (35) and Greg Morton (26) both played a vital hand in setting up the innings, while Mitch Jensen (20) gave the middle order some respectability after a slight collapse. Matt Dwyer ensured the Tigers finished the day on a high as he took two opposition wickets in consecutive deliveries during the final over of play.

Fifth Grade two were dismissed for 89 against Northern Suburbs on Ron Field Oval, and will travel into day two needing to claw back an 82 run first innings deficit. Skipper Matt Wheeler and Tom Knight head the wicket takers column with two scalps each in Northern Suburbs total of 5/171.

Sixth grade one are within three runs of securing a first innings victory against the second placed University of Queensland on Peter Burge Oval. Redlands chalked up 115 runs for the loss of five wickets in the heat of the final session after dismissing the visitors for 117. Trent Conwell led the charge for Redlands with four wickets while giving up just 11 runs, and was ably supported by Tom Gray (2/11), James Sim (2/23) and Tom Waters (2/38). Skipper Dom Cassell top scored with 47, while Greg Thompson chipped in with 29.

Sixth grade two were staring down the barrel of a mammoth total after failing to take a wicket before the lunch interval on day one, but turned the tide in the evening session to capture nine opposition wickets for 130 runs. Scott Jackson (3 wickets) was the pick of the Redlands bowlers, while Jordan Telford and Sean Lloyd claimed two apiece. The Tigers will resume at 2/12 in pursuit of 317 next weekend.